Director of People Development

Holyoke, Massachusetts

Holyoke Community College
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About Holyoke Community College:

Holyoke Community College is housed on a multi-million-dollar, 135-acre campus, equipped with state-of-the art technology in specialized learning facilities. HCC serves over 9,000 students annually, and provides a variety of recreational and cultural activities, from sports programs to music festivals, for students and community members alike. The college's strongest assets continue to be an innovative spirit, a sincere concern for students and a commitment to strive for even greater success. These are the values which have created a tradition of excellence spanning more than six decades, and which are enabling Holyoke Community College to meet today's challenges.

Mission:Educate. Inspire. Connect.

Values: Kindness, Inclusion, Trust, Innovation & Collaboration

Kindness, inclusion and trust are the foundation of the work that we do together. Innovation and collaboration enable us to explore and implement the ideas that will shape our future.

    THE OFFICE OF PEOPLE & TALENT:
    At Holyoke Community College, we embrace an inclusive environment where people are our greatest asset. We are committed to pluralism, defined as people of diverse identities engaging one another to coexist together in spaces that respect, relate, and cooperate among each other. We recognize that our strength lies in our differences. In creating a culture where diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences are valued, the learning and work life of both students and employees are enriched with creativity and innovation. We thrive when it is within our best interest and mission to break down systemic barriers and biases that impact members of the community. By embracing pluralism and addressing inequities, everyone can become active participants and feel valued, respected, and empowered to succeed.

    PURPOSE:
    The Director of People Development will be a strategic leader dedicated to cultivating a thriving workplace culture. This dynamic role oversees Talent Acquisition and Employee Engagement, ensuring the college attracts, selects, and retains top-tier talent. With a focus on continuous learning and professional growth, the Director champions innovative recruitment strategies and fosters development programs that empower employees at every level. This is a pivotal opportunity to shape the future of the college's workforce and people's operation to make a lasting impact on its people-driven mission.

    POSITION SUMMARY:
    Reporting to the Assistant Vice President of People and Talent, the Director of People Development plays a leadership role in managing the Talent Acquisition and Employee Engagement operations. The Director of People Development will oversee the college's recruitment, selection, and evaluation processes to efficiently and effectively ensure high-quality candidates internally and externally. This key position will promote a learning culture for all employees which focuses on developing and retaining talent for the future at Holyoke Community College.


  • Manages the Talent Acquisition Coordinator and the Employee Engagement/ Training Specialist roles.
  • Coordinates and maintains performance evaluations for the Non-Unit Professionals and American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Massachusetts Community College Council (MCCC).
  • Works in collaboration with AVP in establishing job classification and salary compensation.
  • Acts as CORI/SORI Official in following any legal action necessary on background checks.
  • Provides support in the design, development, and implementation of the talent review process at Holyoke Community College.
  • Participates in the People and Talent office's strategic planning efforts in creating an assessment tool that evaluates the strengths and opportunities of employees.
  • Serves as a business partner with hiring managers to develop effective sourcing and recruitment strategies.
  • Develop, initiate, and maintain effective workshops that support the college's employee retention.
  • Directs the Employee Engagement/Training Specialist on exit interviews when employees resign.
  • In collaboration with the Employee and Engagement Specialist, the Director of People Development will conduct presentations and soft skills training for employee development.
  • Promotes a development culture around employee engagement and talent development.
  • Identifies employees' skills gaps and creates training programs to close those gaps.
  • Develops and delivers training workshops on topics such as cultural competence, emotional intelligence, and team dynamics.
  • Works with the learning and development team to create growth and development opportunities that support employee career paths.
  • Oversees the Massachusetts Community College Council (MCCC), American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), and Non-unit Professional appointment process.
  • Performs special tasks as assigned by the Assistant Vice President of People and Talent.
  • Facilitates and organizes training sessions with search committees to ensure adherence to diversity requirements and maintain prompt and effective communication during the entire process.
  • Collaborates with external and internal organizations and community partners to develop partnerships that support the college's recruitment efforts.
  • Collaborates with the People and Talent Analyst to create talent profiles and data to support the needs and growth of employee development skills.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.
  • REQUIRED:

    • Master's Degree and 3-5 years of experience in the Human Resources/People Development field.
    • Experience designing, developing, implementing or supporting organizational-wide talent management programs that contribute to performance management, talent development, coaching, succession planning, data analytics, and relationship management.
    • Proficiency with Microsoft and other Human Resources software.
    • Ability to multi-task and work independently on projects.
    • Ability to work effectively with a diverse group and population.
    • Good communication and interpersonal skills.
    EQUIVALENCY STATEMENT: We welcome and encourage applicants who do not meet the qualifications as stated above, to put in writing precisely how their background and experience have prepared them for the responsibilities of this position. It is preferred that this document be uploaded separately from the resume, cover letter, and references.

    PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
    • Experience working in higher education is a plus.
    • Bilingual.

    Full-time, Non-Unit Professional position

    Salary Range: $85,599.66 - $92,655.79/year (Grade 7) plus a comprehensive State benefits package

    Hours: 37.5 hrs./week

    Funding Source: State

    Disability Accommodations:

    Holyoke Community College is committed to the full inclusion of individuals with disabilities and will ensure the availability of reasonable accommodations. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the Office of People and Talent at .

    Background Check:

    • Employment is contingent upon the successful completion and review of a background check which will include CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) and SORI (Sex Offender Registry Information).
    • All candidates must have legal authorization to work in the United States. HCC is not sponsoring H1B Visa.

    Holyoke Community College is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, age, veteran status, genetic information, gender identity or sexual orientation in its programs and activities as required by Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other applicable statutes and college policies. The College prohibits sexual harassment, including sexual violence. Inquiries or complaints concerning discrimination, harassment, retaliation or sexual violence shall be referred to the College's Affirmative Action and/or Title IX Coordinator, the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission or the United States Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights.

    Date Posted: 12 April 2025
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